“We should follow His steps” – I Peter 2:21
I stared at them. I had to change my angle of observation, and look again. I couldn’t believe it. As a craftsman and builder, there were so many issues and that the cost would be too high to fix. I saw this with my own eyes…. I saw: The Stairway.
My oldest grandson recently bought a two-story house and saw his stairway to the second floor was in great need of repair. Wobbly metal railings, carpet worn and tattered, squeaks in almost every step, and dimensional abberations that bewildered other contractors. Anticipated corrective costs would be too much.
The Lord sees our lives along similar lines. Our spiritual condition before receiving Jesus Christ is a morally wobbly lifestyle, a reputation that is in bad shape, excuses and broken promises squeak all too often, and redemption costs will be much too high to straighten the mess out. But Jesus HAS the qualifications to change what is old into something new.
So my grandson asked for my help, because he knew that I had done tough, almost impossible projects before. He turned to the master to figure it out. One wall was crooked, one wall was bowed out 2 7/8”, and the opening to the second floor was bowed in the other direction. The steps were not even and some were not even perpendicular to the wall. I accepted the task. The reconstruction began. It took almost two weeks. He worked closely alongside me, paid attention to what I explained along the way, and then allowed him to do it for himself. The result was a thing that was restored!
Romans 6:22-24 says:“… put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
No matter what condition a person is, no matter how bleak the future looks, no matter what the cost to restore it to new; Jesus has paid the price, done the job and allowed us to follow along in His Word, the Bible; and take steps to internalize His teachings. These “steps” are possible through His strength and grace. But the first step is to call the Master. He knows what to do. If my grandson had never accepted me to do the job, would someone else take the time to meticulously analyze, craft a plan, lead instruction in love and patience, and then complete the work until it’s done?So it is with other “spiritual avenues” that others try, but are never successful. We have to call the one, true Master.
1 Peter 2:21says: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 says: “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”
So if we want to be in God’s family, a purposeful servant, a faithful co-laborer in the faith, if we want to live a powerful and dedicated life, then take steps to apply His principles to each day. The result will be a life well lived, moving to higher levels of spiritual growth, and a trail of inspiration and others led to Jesus Christ.
“Lord, thank You for not only providing Your Scripture to guide us day by day, but thank You for allowing us to work alongside You as we go, learning so many new things to be purposeful in our lives on this planet; in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”